Johnson, Campbell honored at Athletic Forum
SMU representatives were able to sit with the media before the Doak Walker Award presentation at Tuesday night’s Athletic Forum and ask questions to a legendary running back of the past and an NFL hopeful ready to take the league by storm.
Earl Campbell, also known as the “Tyler Rose” had a memorable football career. Campbell played high school football at John Tyler High School before signing with the Texas Longhorns. Earl won the Heisman Trophy in 1977 and made the jump to the NFL the same year.
During Campbell’s first year in the league he won both Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards. Campbell finished his career with 9,407 rushing yards and 74 touchdowns. He is a member of the NFL Hall of Fame and is the 2003 recipient of the Price Waterhouse Coopers Doak Walker Legends Award.
Larry Johnson finished his collegiate career with the Penn State Nittany Lions after the 2002 football season. During his senior year, Johnson had one of the most impressive seasons a college running back has ever had. Johnson rushed for 2087 yards and scored 20 touchdowns. Under the control of Coach Joe Paterno, Johnson and the rest of the team played in the 2003 Capital One Bowl.
Earl, what does winning the 2002 Price Waterhouse Coopers Doak Walker Legends Award mean to you?
Larry, being as young as you are, what exactly do you know about Doak Walker?
Larry: Doak, I know he was the youngest man to ever win the Heisman and he was a great NFL running back, but that is not what led me to him. I really respected what he did off the field. He really improved his community and did a lot for the game of football.
Larry, have you given any thought as to playing for the Dallas Cowboys next year?
Larry: I would never mind playing for the Cowboys. They seem to breed 400-pound linemen down here. When I was younger, my mom got me into loving the Cowboys. I have always admired Emmitt and he is a great running back. I also loved watching the Cowboys win the Super Bowls in the ’90s.
Larry, what is the one thing you are not looking forward to about the NFL?
Larry: The business aspect of the league is something I am not looking forward to. With all the things happening to Emmitt, that is a good example. Before the NFL, I was just out there trying to have some fun; things are going to change.
Larry, what does the Doak Walker Award mean to you?
Larry: This is my Heisman. At the beginning of the year, this is the one that I really tried to win. It is the award for running backs. I was at Penn State for five years and this is the award that I have always been after.
Johnson, Campbell honored at Athletic Forum
